Head: Programme Management Office - Pretoria at South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Purpose Statement

• Accountable for the implementation of tactical work plans and formulate associated procedures to ensure the development and effective implementation of the Programme Management Office strategy in line with the SABS’s mandate and overall approved strategy, to ensure the execution of key deliverables, while promoting good governance and sound financial and business principles.  

Minimum Requirements    

• Honour’s Degree in Technology or an Engineering field
• Project Management Qualification (e.g., Prince2, PMBOK, Advanced Project Management, etc.) is essential
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar is advantageous
• 10 years’ relevant work experience in programme management
• 3 years’ senior management experience
• 5 years’ management experience
• Must have experience in managing corporate programmes inclusive of sector-focused revenue stream development, continuous improvement programmes as well as shift planning scheduling and resource optimisation across multiple value streams
• Proven track record of managing high complexity, high business impact programmes
• Proven track record in leading and managing multiple programmes (consisting of multiple projects) simultaneously to achieve time, cost, quantity, revenue targets at an organisational level

Duties and Responsibilities    
Strategic Management

• Lead the development, management and execution of the SABS Programme Management Office (PMO) strategy and provide input into the overall SABS strategy, policy and decision-making direction of the organisation.
• Collaborate with the COO to direct a comprehensive PMO strategy in the organisation in order to drive performance, improve profitability and ensure organisational sustainability.
• Ensure the alignment of the PMO strategy with the requirements of all core sub-divisions, through the development and execution of strategic work plans.
• Develop and lead a Centre of Excellence to balance technical know-how with stakeholder requirements.
• Provide leadership and develop a strong team environment committed to the organisation's mission, vision, values and objectives in a manner that instils trust and credibility within the unit.

Operational Management

• Oversee the assigning of technical support from core business to sales teams to convert leads into sale
• Oversee the assigning of SME’s to sector-focused cross-functional teams to close solution delivery (i.e., focusing on service delivery, quality assurance, customer relationship management, solution team management, etc.)
• Oversee and lead the management of cross-functional team resource utilisation and optimisation, inclusive of cost monitoring
• Contract project solution deliverables and milestones with accountable executive and Divisional Heads.
• Develop and execute the PMO Operational Plan to meet capacity and requirements in line with the overall strategic plans and deliverables.
• Convert operational plan into tactical project plans and objectives to attain growth targets.
• Establish and manage the implementation of all aspects of the PMO function, including the implementation of effective methodologies, metrics tracking, business processes, workflows and tools.
• Continuously assess areas for internal improvement and develop plans for implementation, and identify productivity benchmarks and development tools to measure efficiencies in the division.
• Manage the operating model within sphere of control and ensure the continuous improvement thereof in order to drive business improvement.
• Establish and oversee sound project management governance and controls within all programmes
• Ensure that the PMO’s objectives are achieved through effective performance management, measurement and monitoring.
• Provide subject matter expertise to the organisation regarding PMO protocols and processes.
• Establish and lead the implementation of a project management information system to assist and facilitate ease-of-use.
• Identify, analyse and communicate overall PMO trends and results for the various categories to the business unit managers.
• Collaborate with core business to execute business solution activities to achieve revenue targets as per the strategic and operational plans.                                                  

Risk and Compliance Management

• Ensure the mitigation of PMO’s risk profile through the application of fraud controls and risk prevention principles and implementing of sound governance and compliance processes and tools to identify and manage risks.
• Responsible for the coordination and maintenance of quality risk management in line with regulatory requirements.
• Monitor changes in legislation and the regulatory environment and ensure that appropriate operational controls are implemented to address new requirements.
• Support and provide evidence to all internal and external audit and Accreditation requirements.
• Oversee the development, maintenance and enforcement of related service level agreements, policies and procedures to minimise business risk and ensure business continuity.
• Ensure adherence in the team to all relevant laws, policies and standard operating procedures throughout the organisation.
• Ensure compliance with national legislation and SABS specific policies and procedures (e.g. Code of Ethics, PFMA PPPFA, etc.)

Financial Management

• Provide input in the planning and compilation of PMO’s annual budget aligned to the operational and strategic delivery plans to support the implementation of set objectives.
• Lead the overall financial performance and improvement of efficiency in service delivery within PMO.
• Develop and manage financial plans, forecasts and budgets that will be used to initiate, drive and implement all PMO related initiatives in line with the business strategy
• Ensure the effective implementation, management, monitoring of PMO’s budget, and mitigate and report on any variances.
• Ensure the deployment of proper financial controls to manage the PMO budget.

People Management

• Manage and lead PMO by providing clarity of vision; prioritising resources; facilitating alignment of the team; managing non-performance, driving a customer-centric performance culture, setting appropriate KPA’s and ensure the cascading thereof throughout PMO and driving their achievement; inspiring commitment; encouraging mutual support; and enabling development opportunities
• Mentor and coach group executives and SABS leadership in the application of project management practices
• Develop core project management competencies at team level across the SABS
• Proactively manage all direct reports in order to ensure that the strategic objectives for the division are achieved.
• Develop and execute cluster technical and leadership skills development strategies, in consultation with Human Capital Management.
• Develop and implement SABS-wide technical, leadership and change capability development.
• Oversee the management of sector-focused cross-divisional business solution teams to ensure sustainability of large multi-year contracts.

Stakeholder Management

• Identify and mitigate internal systems and procedural barriers to enhance excellent customer service.
• Build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships for the purpose of expectations management, knowledge sharing and integration, and to manage the organisation’s reputation.
• Represent and participate in the organisation’s committees and tasks teams as required.
• Convene, chair and attend meetings and present performance and business related information to relevant stakeholders as required.
• Provide technical support and advocacy on PMO services related matters to the organisation.
• Align PMO activities across divisions to ensure engagements are well coordinated
• Ensure the documentation of all stakeholder engagements to support continuity for future engagements.